BOARD OF
SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting
for Week of May 29, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May
29, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in
Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair and Jamie Tolfree present,
opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A plaque was presented to Marilyn Butler for 25-years of
dedicated service to Skamania County.
Commissioner
Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously
to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of item #8 that
was removed:
1. Minutes for week of May 22,
2007.
2. Reappoint Sally Newell to
Noxious Weed Control Board, position #1 for a 4-year term expiring March 31,
1011.
3. Reappoint Ken Bajema to Noxious
Weed Control Board, position #4 for a 4-year term expiring March 31, 2011.
4. Reappoint Larry Willson to
Noxious Weed Control Board, position #5 for a 4-year term expiring March 31,
2011.
5. Interlocal agreement with
the City of Stevenson to perform reimbursable road maintenance activities
within the City limits.
6. Contract with NW
Hydro-Mulchers, Inc for 2007 hydro seeding and mulching projects.
7. Renewal of lease agreement
with Washington State Dept of Transportation (WSDOT) for placement of a GPS
antenna on the Courthouse roof for use as a base station for WSDOT Real Time
Network.
8. Resolution 2007-21 County
Officials Policy for Travel Reimbursement.
Commissioner
Richardson joined the meeting via phone from 10:04 a.m. until 10:07 a.m.
Commissioner
Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried
unanimously to approve Resolution 2007-21 adopting a policy for County
Officials Travel Reimbursement.
Dave Cox, Undersheriff advised that the flag at the
Courthouse was not lowered to half-staff on Memorial Day.
Larry Douglass, Interim Public Works Director introduced Stuart Cato,
County Engineer Contractor and reported on the Rock Creek Slide, Rock Creek
timber removal project, McQueen Road vacation request, Engineering projects,
County Road projects, Solid Waste, and Building Department.
Scott Pineo, Recreation and Facilities Director reported on Community Events and Recreation events, Summer Guide, Fairgrounds improvements, boat launches, campground hosts, Buildings and Grounds current projects, Fair Exhibit Hall Kitchen open house, Rock Creek Community Services Center and Courthouse remodel projects, Underwood Community Council, and a critical areas meeting.
The
meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 and reconvened at 11:03 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners
Pearce and Tolfree present.
The
Board participated in a roundtable workshop with Mary Ann Duncan-Cole, City of
Stevenson Administrator, Sheriff Dave Brown, Larry Douglass, Interim Public
Works Director, and Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services to
discuss FEMA and Piper Road/Rock Creek Slide.
Also present was a representative from Washington State Department of
Emergency Management and three representatives from FEMA. Commissioner Pearce gave an overview of the
slide activity and County and City work expended to date. Discussion included eligibility for FEMA
funding, County/City appeals, core sampling, and the process for requesting
consideration of additional project worksheets to include additional work/expenditures
incurred.
The
meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007, with
Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.
The
Board discussed Condit Dam removal, with no action taken.
The
Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss the Rock Creek
Slide, Rock Creek timber removal, Salmon Falls Park and Ride, Salmon Falls
re-alignment, Hot Springs grind project, private road ordinance, and future
project review, with no action taken.
The
meeting recessed at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007 and reconvened at 11:10
a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.
The Board participated in a workshop with the
Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss Rock Creek Community Services
Center and Underwood Community Center, with no action taken.
The Board advised they would be attending a Columbia
River Gorge Commission workshop regarding a Recreation Resort Plan amendment to
the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan at the Pioneer
Building in White Salmon at 3:00 p.m. today.
The
meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007 and at 10:06 a.m.
Thursday, May 31, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
The
Board participated in a workshop to discuss VEBA, a tax-free program for
unreimbursed medical costs for current and future expenses. Several employees from various departments
were present. Following an overview of
the program and questions from employees, the Board advised that the next steps
would be to decide whether or not to proceed with VEBA, and if so, designate
the configurations of the group(s) and what types and levels of contribution
limits would be allowed. The Board
advised that the proposed group configuration and contribution limits would be
sent to all employees on Thursday, June 7th and invited employees to
provide comments at a second workshop to be held at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, June
14th.
Commissioner
Pearce gave an update on the one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and
Communities Act of 2000 and the next steps to achieve a multi-year
reauthorization.
Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and
motion carried unanimously that based on the FLSA grievance filed by an
employee, the amount owed by the employee is $1,110.09 to settle the employee
grievance.
Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and
motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending May 31,
2007 in the total amount of $109,427.19.
The Board advised that the purchase of bottled water, coffee and cups
by departments would be paid from the General Services Fund.
The Board discussed the proposed casino at Cascade Locks and the
Broughton Landing proposal, with no action taken.
The
meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007.
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA
COUNTY, WASHINGTON